浅析《了不起的盖茨比》中房子的隐喻意义_英语论文

A Brief Discussion on The Great Gatsby From Metaphoric Meaning of the Houses

摘要

本文致力于分析菲茨杰拉德的小说《了不起的盖茨比》中意象的隐喻意义，展示人物的性格和命运，描绘社会矛盾和阶级结构。本文分为两个部分。第一部分指出房子暗指破碎的美国梦。首先，这个部分对何为美国梦做了阐释，然后说明盖茨比的大厦如空中阁楼。接着，本文指出以汤姆为代表极端自私的实利主义者才是美国梦的真正拥有者。

第二部分指出房子暗指女性的牢笼的隐喻意义，首先介绍爵士时代女性的生存状态。对于黛西，房子如金丝笼一样困住了她的自由和思想。对于充满虚荣心的莫特尔，房子意味着死亡的牢笼.

关键词：隐喻；房子；美国梦；女性；牢笼

Abstract

The paper focuses on analyzing the metaphorical meaning in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby to show the characters’ personality and fate, and indicating social contradictions and class structure of America in 1920s. The paper is constituted of two parts. The first part suggests the metaphorical meaning of the houses are implication of the corrupted American Dream. At first, this part gives a brief introduction to the American Dream, and then describes Gatsby's mansion as a castle. Next, the thesis proves that extreme selfish materialist, represented by Tom, is the real owner of the American Dream.

The second deals with the metaphorical meaning of the females’ cages. This part begins with introducing historical background of Jazz Age and women’s living state. For Daisy, the house is equal to golden traps to control her freedom and thought. And for Myrtle who is motivated by vanity, the house means prison of death.

Key Words: metaphor; house; the American Dream; female; cage 

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Metaphor 1

2.2 The history of study on The Great Gatsby 3

3. The metaphorical meaning of the house 4

3.1 Metaphor of the American Dream 4

3.2 Metaphor of females’ cages 9

4. Conclusion 12

Works Cited 14